The pomp and circumstance surrounding the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center still lingers in downtown Little Rock as the city welcomes visitors from around the world to explore the library.

During the opening, former President Bill Clinton identified the library as “the symbol of a bridge to the 21st century.” Driving from Little Rock into North Little Rock on Interstate 30, the library seems to virtually cross the river as the seventh bridge connecting the two cities.

Begin your visit to the library by watching the short film in the orientation theater on the main floor before guiding yourself through thousands of photos and documents. View a replica of the Cabinet Room as it appeared during the Clinton administration. As you work your way toward the north end of the library, you’ll read about the inaugurations, the role of then-Vice President Al Gore and issues important to the administration.

The 110-foot timeline down the main-level corridor lists the foreign and domestic events of the Clinton White House from 1993-2000. Be sure to visit the 16 alcoves along the perimeter of the main floor. Each alcove details Clinton’s presidency in areas including international relations, human rights and technology advancements.

On the second floor, take a peek at the full-scale replica of the Oval Office. Learn more about life in the White House and the grand state events, celebrations and the gifts people sent during the eight years of the Clinton administration. Also, read about Clinton’s early years and campaigns for public office in Arkansas before running for president. Information about first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton can also be found on the second level.

Located in a 30-acre city park, the library’s additional plans include renovating the Rock Island Railroad Bridge, which crosses the Arkansas River, into a pedestrian bridge. A multiuse amphitheater, children’s playground area and gardens featuring a grove of trees native to Arkansas are also in the works.

The library also offers special event rental space for formal and casual events with more than 10,000 SF available for dinners, receptions and educational lectures.

The Clinton Library is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday and closed on major holidays. General admission is $7, while special groups such as active U.S. military personnel and school groups with reservations can visit for free.

When in Rome

• Café 42, in the Clinton Presidential Center - Enjoy a spectacular view of the Arkansas River while sipping soup or nibbling on a pastry at Café 42. Other menu items include sandwiches, pizzas and the Presidential Salad Bar. And no visit to Café 42 would be complete without savoring Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert or a snack. Sunday brunch at the café has become a fast favorite of locals and visitors alike. There is even a station to create your own waffles and omelets for brunch, or just ask the omelet chef to specialize it for you. For those who crave a rush of caffeine in the morning, Starbucks coffee is served in the café. Hours of operation for Café 42 are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Lunch is served 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and brunch is served from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday.

• Protecting the Archives - Architects and engineers of the library employed special measures to protect the largest presidential archive collection. Nearly 10 miles of radiant tubing runs throughout the floors of the center to keep them at a luke warm temperature. Even the glass walls are layered with a protective coating to filter damaging UV rays, provide shading and prevent the inside temperature from rising. Together, these efforts reduce the energy use by 25 percent. More than 84,000 archived documents can be accessed online at www.clintonfoundation.org.

• The Art of Public Service - As part of the library, the University of Arkansas established the Clinton School of Public Service. The old Choctaw Station on the grounds of the center was once a railroad passenger depot, dating back to 1899, and has been transformed to house the school and offices for the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation. The 13,500-SF center of learning includes facilities for the dean, professors and staff. Former U.S. Sen. David Pryor is the founding dean of the school. To learn more about the Clinton School of Public Service, log on to www.clintonschool.uasys.edu.

• Clinton Museum Store, 610 President Clinton Ave. - From commemorative T-shirts and books to Socks and Buddy plush items for kids, the Clinton Museum Store is full of Clinton-inspired memorabilia. Online shopping and shipping are available through the store’s Web site at www.clintonmuseumstore.com. The store is open from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday.